officers to do so. The added burden on these agencies
will be great, and I again appeal to the public to
realise the problems of these agencies and to help them
in their duty at whatever cost to their own convenience.
I appeal particularly to employers voluntarily and firmly.
to enforce this new policy and refuse employment to
illegal immigrants. By doing so they can win this battle
and confer a great benefit on the whole community.
I spoke
earlier of the dangers of this policy if it failed, and
the immigrants continued to come, and an illegal community
built up outside the law. But this will not happen to
any significant extent provided we all act with sufficient
unity and resolution to, leave no loopholes for sanctuary
or employment and thus deter immigrants from coming.
cannot be achieved by the enforcement agencies alone,
though they will do everything they can.
This
Since they may be heavily stretched in the days ahead, I have signed
an order mobilising the Royal Hong Kong Regiment (Volunteers) as from
2 p.m. tomorrow. The Government will do everything it can, but success
can only be achieved by united action by the community as a whole.
I now leave it to the Chief Secretary to explain the details of
the legislation proposed.